Sobriety SUCKS

Shakes, sweats, nasty dreams, unGodly cravings. Remind me again why I'm doing this? I think a hangover would be better.

(((((((((((Ryan)))))))))))

I'm hoping what I'm going to say is the right thing. I don't think it's the sobriety that sucks. It's the withdrawal you're going through. Do they tell you at your AA meetings how to get through the process of your body detoxifying itself?

I've never had to give up anything like alcohol or cigarettes, so I'm about as clueless as can be regarding what you must be going through right now.

All a hangover is good for is kissing the porcalien(sp) throne, yuckyy pooo
You are doing fine is there a sponsor you can call?
Hang in there (((((Ryan)))))))

You're right WI. It's the withdrawl. And I know it's a one time thing whereas a hangover suffered by a drunk is repetative. This just plain sucks. I'm taking it one minute at a time right now.

Ry

Angie, I'm supposed to call my sponser at 4 pm. I could call him now but I don't wanna whine every time I want a drink. That would be annoying cause I want to drink all the time.

Ry

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... but I don't wanna whine every time I want a drink. That would be annoying cause I want to drink all the time.

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Um...isn't that what a sponsor is for? At the beginning I would expect you to call frequently...then less as you proceed in your recovery.

Ryan, just take one of your babies out and play with them, River, Rocco, or Mindy, let them make you feel better

Ryan,

This is the hard bit alright. In a similar place I have tried drinking water with some lemon juice in it. A couple of aspirins or other painkillers can help a little, warm baths help, sleep as much as you can, take a long walk. I try to eat to fill the craving tummy with something. Watch some mindless TV. Call your sponsor whenever you need to.

After a similar effort I did 10 years alcohol free. OK you still want to drink, but it's not the whole of life; there other good things out there.

A big thing, I found it really easy to obsess on alcohol which adds psychological pressure to the physical stuff. If you can get genuinely interested in something else, maybe put the booze money towards it. It's like turning a supertanker, but you know supertankers can be turned.

Stay with it - you can do it.

Good thoughts, Myzen

Ryan, I know the last thing you probably want right now is more medication, but I'm typing a report right now and they're tlalking about putting the patient on Campral.

It's a new drug that helps with the withdrawal symptons. It's not like the old drugs that make you sick if you drink. It actually helps fight the cravings the first few weeks and months after quitting.

Maybe it's something you'd want to check into.

www.campral.com

I was gonna put in my own .02 cents worth but it's not even worth that after reading Myzden's post. Sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

Call your sponsor! That's why you have one, Ry.

My money and my faith are on you. No matter what, I know you'll make it through this tough time and I'll still love you.

((((Ryan)))) I got the been there done that t-shirt. It will pass, hang in there. I know that around here, they pass a meeting schedule around and all the guys (or in my case gals) put their phone numbers on it... if you got a list of numbers, use them. That's what they give them to you for! You calling them helps you both out... reminds them of where they have been and they can help you get through this! It may be a lot of no answers and machines, but keep trying!

I feel for you, I really do! Hang in there. And thank you... you got me out of myself for a little bit. PM me any time.

I'm proud of you!

Just hang in there, you'll get through it . . . it is all worth it, my friend. ((((((((( smootches )))))))))))))
It can suck, but like the old saying goes, "take one day at a time". It can seem like an eternity (sp?) but man, it is worth it, believe me.

((((((((((((((( Ryan ))))))))))))))

Best, sincere wishes towards this great accomplishment (sp?)
we are proud of you.
Any consolation. . . I've been going through a similar thing.

Love to you, hang in there

DE

Porcelin (sp?), ha! I use to call it "paying homage" to the damn thing. Funny, when we feel better, sad to say, we often go back to the same cycle.
This cycle must be broken, freeing ourselves from another dependency. Let's all try to free ourselves from any, harmful dependency, we all need our freedom, which allows us to enjoy the short time we have been given on this earth.
There are so many, simple, beautiful and healthy things we still need to explore.

Love to all,

DE

Hey,

I know I can't add anything substantial, but call the sponsor! You walked me through when I was having my withdrawl from my meds, I'll walk with you now.

Love you,

Twin

i with you but i cna't be much support right now as i am not sober sorry

Hullo Ryan,
A few years back I was mixing massive amounts of whiskey and pills in a constant attempt to just feel numb. Before I decided to try to pull out of that tailspin (I once described it here on Creative in a poem called "Tyrannosaurus Meds"), I was likely the most horrendous human being to be around on the planet. The self-loathing over the alcohol and drug abuse was as devastating in many ways as the utter mess I made of my life due to all the self-medication. I can empathize deeply, and I know it would take precious little to send me careening in that direction again, even after three years of really putting up a fight against the booze. I've found that while that sense of fragility has stayed with me, life really did become better after the kind of period you're going through -- although it certainly didn't seem like it at the time. If I were you, I'd not hesitate to call your sponsor as often as necessary. I've found the power of a sympathetic human voice is much greater than I'd ever thought. In fact, due to the careening nature of my bp cycling lately, I just got off the phone with a support group. After all the group I got in the psych ward, I didn't think I'd ever want to do that again. But I need people in the flesh who can truly understand. Maybe the same is true for you as well. I don't think your sponsor would have taken on the responsibility unless he/she understood what this was going to be like for you, and how much you'd need a hand up. I'm admitting by going to this new support group that I can't handle this illness alone right now. I'm not ashamed of that, and I don't think you should feel hesitant about taking full advantage of your sponsor's advice and encouragement, too. I think this is a great site, but sometimes cyberspace support just isn't enough. Best of luck, mate. Cheshire Cat.

Hang in there Ryan -the physical withdrawal doesnt last too long, but like Myzen says, get focused on something other than your cravings.......and CALL YOUR SPONSOR !!!

Wishing you all the best through this time !!!

((((((((((((((((( Ryan ))))))))))))))))))))

Please hold out! You can get through this time, honestly. I think Myzen gives great advice... I hope it is of some help to you!

You're doing it for you! This is a good thing being done... and often good things are the most difficult. Sobriety is GREAT! Take care... we're with you as much as we can be...

Wow, thanks for the responses guys. I talked to my sponsor today about cravings and what-not. It's definately a taboo to call every time that I get a craving. That would be like using the sponsor as a crutch. He did, however, say that if I'm about to actually go through with having a drink that I'm to call him anytime day or night. He and I do talk every day and he gives me good advise. I'm 5 days sober today and I owe it in part to him and in part to you guys and in part to me. Thanks for all the support.

Ry

Glad you talked to your sponsor...

((((((((((((((((((((Ryan)))))))))))))))))))))))

You're doing this because alcohol is a depressant so it intensifies depression -- and as much as withdrawal sucks, depression sucks even more.

You're doing this because alcoholism kills in a nasty way. Even though we don't hear much about it, when a hard-core wino dies, there's often a lot of internal bleeding and blood on the mattress . . .You can count on it that it is a physically painful and prolonged dying . . .

You're doing this because you are on a path to becoming whole again, and respecting your body is part of respecting yourself . . .

I hope these few reasons make a little bit of sense.

The program is simple, but it's not easy.

((((((((((((((((Ryan)))))))))))))))))))

i just read your post about not wanting to whine to your sponsor..........young man, that is what a sponsor is for. he'll tell you, if he gets tired of listening to you......and he probably won't ever have to tell you that. sponsors rock!!!!

Ryan! The first week or so sucks. But it sucks for all of us. Just wait until all the toxins are finally gone and you start noticing all the great differences! No heartburn, no sweats, no shakes, clear eyes, no dizzy spells, clear headedness, it's all so amazing. Do you have more phone numbers then just your sponser? Maybe if you called multiple people it wouldn't feel like you were whining or being a burden. It is so not taboo to call your sponser all the time, and if he gave you that impression, then it's time to find a new sponser. Seriously.

5 days, that is so awesome! I didn't realize it had been that long. This week is flying by for me. Anyway, please please please IM me when you see me online, you won't be a bother!!!! Even if it says I'm away, message me anyway in case I forgot to change my status. You're doing great, and I am so proud of you!!

Rayna

My father was an alcoholic. He was drunk - perhaps he tripped or stumbled or missed the step - he died before he hit the bottom.

I think he drank because he was a terribly sad man. I miss him.

You are doing this because you are worth it.